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  1. Frameworks
  2. >ATTACK
  3. >Execution
  4. >ATTACK-T1129
ATTACK-T1129Active

Shared Modules

Statement

Adversaries may execute malicious payloads via loading shared modules. Shared modules are executable files that are loaded into processes to provide access to reusable code, such as specific custom functions or invoking OS API functions (i.e., Native API).

Adversaries may use this functionality as a way to execute arbitrary payloads on a victim system. For example, adversaries can modularize functionality of their malware into shared objects that perform various functions such as managing C2 network communications or execution of specific actions on objective.

The Linux & macOS module loader can load and execute shared objects from arbitrary local paths. This functionality resides in dlfcn.h in functions such as dlopen and dlsym. Although macOS can execute .so files, common practice uses .dylib files.(Citation: Apple Dev Dynamic Libraries)(Citation: Linux Shared Libraries)(Citation: RotaJakiro 2021 netlab360 analysis)(Citation: Unit42 OceanLotus 2017)

The Windows module loader can be instructed to load DLLs from arbitrary local paths and arbitrary Universal Naming Convention (UNC) network paths. This functionality resides in NTDLL.dll and is part of the Windows Native API which is called from functions like LoadLibrary at run time.(Citation: Microsoft DLL)

Location

Tactic
Execution

Technique Details

Identifier
ATTACK-T1129
ATT&CK Page
View on MITRE

Tactics

Execution

Platforms

LinuxmacOSWindows

Detection

Behavior-chain, platform-aware detection strategy for T1129 Shared Modules

Mitigations

Execution Prevention: Prevent the execution of unauthorized or malicious code on systems by implementing application control, script blocking, and other execution prevention mechanisms. This ensures that only trusted and authorized code is executed, reducing the risk of malware and unauthorized actions. This mitigation can be implemented through the following measures:

Application Control:

  • Use Case: Use tools like AppLocker or Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) to create whitelists of authorized applications and block unauthorized ones. On Linux, use tools like SELinux or AppArmor to define mandatory access control policies for application execution.
  • Implementation: Allow only digitally signed or pre-approved applications to execute on servers and endpoints. (e.g., New-AppLockerPolicy -PolicyType Enforced -FilePath "C:\Policies\AppLocker.xml")

Script Blocking:

  • Use Case: Use script control mechanisms to block unauthorized execution of scripts, such as PowerShell or JavaScript. Web Browsers: Use browser extensions or settings to block JavaScript execution from untrusted sources.
  • Implementation: Configure PowerShell to enforce Constrained Language Mode for non-administrator users. (e.g., Set-ExecutionPolicy AllSigned)

Executable Blocking:

  • Use Case: Prevent execution of binaries from suspicious locations, such as %TEMP% or %APPDATA% directories.
  • Implementation: Block execution of .exe, .bat, or .ps1 files from user-writable directories.

Dynamic Analysis Prevention:

  • Use Case: Use behavior-based execution prevention tools to identify and block malicious activity in real time.
  • Implemenation: Employ EDR solutions that analyze runtime behavior and block suspicious code execution.
SP 800-53
SP800-53-CM-2relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
SP800-53-CM-7relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
SP800-53-SI-10relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
SP800-53-SI-4relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
SP800-53-SI-7relatedvia ctid-attack-to-sp800-53
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← Back to Execution
Execution45 controls
ATTACK-T1047Windows Management InstrumentationATTACK-T1053Scheduled Task/JobATTACK-T1053.002AtATTACK-T1053.003CronATTACK-T1053.005Scheduled TaskATTACK-T1053.006Systemd TimersATTACK-T1053.007Container Orchestration JobATTACK-T1059Command and Scripting InterpreterATTACK-T1059.001PowerShellATTACK-T1059.002AppleScriptATTACK-T1059.003Windows Command ShellATTACK-T1059.004Unix ShellATTACK-T1059.005Visual BasicATTACK-T1059.006PythonATTACK-T1059.007JavaScriptATTACK-T1059.008Network Device CLIATTACK-T1059.009Cloud APIATTACK-T1059.010AutoHotKey & AutoITATTACK-T1059.011LuaATTACK-T1059.012Hypervisor CLIATTACK-T1059.013Container CLI/APIATTACK-T1072Software Deployment ToolsATTACK-T1106Native APIATTACK-T1129Shared ModulesATTACK-T1203Exploitation for Client ExecutionATTACK-T1204User ExecutionATTACK-T1204.001Malicious LinkATTACK-T1204.002Malicious FileATTACK-T1204.003Malicious ImageATTACK-T1204.004Malicious Copy and PasteATTACK-T1204.005Malicious LibraryATTACK-T1559Inter-Process CommunicationATTACK-T1559.001Component Object ModelATTACK-T1559.002Dynamic Data ExchangeATTACK-T1559.003XPC ServicesATTACK-T1569System ServicesATTACK-T1569.001LaunchctlATTACK-T1569.002Service ExecutionATTACK-T1569.003SystemctlATTACK-T1609Container Administration CommandATTACK-T1648Serverless ExecutionATTACK-T1651Cloud Administration CommandATTACK-T1674Input InjectionATTACK-T1675ESXi Administration CommandATTACK-T1677Poisoned Pipeline Execution